RUSSIA has launched its biggest military exercise in nearly 40 years involving drills with China and Mongolia - but what are the Vostok 2018 war games and why are they happening now?

Up to 300,000 troops from the three nations have been assembled in a show of pomp in the far east of Russia, as broadcast by the nation’s Ministry of Defence in pictures and video.

The huge military operation includes 36,000 tanks, more than 1,000 aircraft and 80 navy vessels, according to Russia’s defence minister.

The country's defense ministry said manoeuvres from September 11 to 17 will see troops “train warfare of joint groups in order to ensure military security of the Russian Federation” in a released statement.

The Pentagon are expected to be watching exercises closely, an expert told CNBC.

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Russia news: NATO is conducting its Trident military drill programme in Ukraine right now (Image: Getty)

NATO spokesman Dylan said: “All nations have the right to exercise their armed forces, but it is essential that this is done in a transparent and predictable manner.

"Vostok demonstrates Russia's focus on exercising large-scale conflict. It fits into a pattern we have seen over some time: a more assertive Russia, significantly increasing its defence budget and its military presence."

However, the Russian Embassy in London has downplayed the West’s response with a mocking tweet saying: “It is somehow strange.

"None of the Russian Eastern neighbours feel much stress about wargames close to their borders (and China even takes part), but the largest military alliance in the world does.”

Russia news: A soldier included in the Vostok 2018 manoeuvres (Image: Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation)

Will President Putin be involved?

President Putin is expected to oversee the exercises this week as Russia’s armed forces commander-in-chief

The exercise will be carried out in five army training grounds across the Sea of Japan, Bering Straits and Sea of Okhotsk.

Russia said around 3,200 members of China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) will participate.

In addition, 24 helicopters and six jets belonging to the Chinese air force have been brought in.